Even when I called out to Shino who suddenly started having nightmares, Shino showed no sign of waking up. So he tried shaking her body, and Shino finally opened her eyes.
"Shino, are you okay?"
Shino stared at me with an expression that didn't know what was going on.
"Kirito...?"
"yes.
Shino got up from Riran's body and covered her face with one hand.
"Somehow I feel like I had a really bad dream, but I can't remember what it was."
"Maybe a dream about your memory?"
"Maybe. But although I still remember it in the dream, I can't remember it when I wake up. What am I dreaming about? I..."
Looking at Shino, I suddenly thought. There was nothing unusual about Shino's pained expression while she was sleeping. Clearly, it could be seen that he was having the scariest dream ever. Shino may have had an experience in the past that was so scary that she could only dream about it.
...Shinon seemed to be curious about what it was, and I was curious too, but I didn't know if I should really restore such a memory. If Sinon really had a terrible past and lost his memory, wouldn't it be better if Sinon didn't remember it?
"Hey, Shino."
"What"
"Maybe that's your memory. That horrible dream is your memory."
Shino nodded.
"Maybe. But I can't remember. All of a sudden I can't remember."
"I don't think I have to remember."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shino took one hand away from her face and stared at me with wide eyes.
"What are you talking about, Kirito?"
"That's what I said, but the expression on your face was extremely painful when you were teased. I thought it would be better not to remember..."
Shino stared at me with a blank expression for a while, but soon she looked up at the sky and sighed deeply.
"Of course, you're probably right. I'm sure I didn't have a bad experience. And I dreamed about it, and I was suffering. When I think about it, I was probably suffering more than I thought. Attack...you. Like you said, maybe it's better not to remember.
"Shinon seems to think so too." She can live without suffering, and Shino should be able to remain Shino. ...At this moment, Shino met my face.
"But I refuse."
"Um"
“I’m glad to hear you say that, but it breaks my heart not to remember.
I was still confused and couldn't help but wonder what I had done and what had happened in the past.
"If you're going to live with that feeling, no matter what pain awaits you, it's best to remember." That's why I don't understand what you're saying. I choose to restore my memory, Kirito. "
"I swallowed involuntarily."
"Shinon is not afraid." Ordinary people would not recall terrible memories, but Shino had to plunge into that pain alone. If you don't, you'll just suffer the pain of not being able to recover your memory. Is it possible for an ordinary person to make such a judgment? No, probably not.
"Shino is strong." That's why I can say that, I think I will become strong.
"...You are strong. No matter what kind of suffering is waiting for you, you can face it."
Shino's face became calm.
"You too, Kirito. You are not afraid of suffering either."
"Hey, did I do it?"
"What I'm doing is a game where you really die when your HP reaches zero, but it's like bravely fighting against scary enemy monsters to protect everyone. Besides, you're just a nuisance to the people around you. He And said he would protect me till the end, even though he was supposed to be there.
"I nodded and looked up at the sky. "It is said that I can protect everyone, or that I can stay with Shino because I am stronger than others. However, its capabilities are still being developed. The same goes for Sinon, but if I don't get stronger, I won't be able to protect other players, or Sinon, or even Lilan.
"I'm also strong, right? But I don't think I'll be satisfied with my current strength. I need to become stronger, just like you and Lilan."
"Me too, I also choose to become stronger. Kirito, enough of the lizard people, let's go to the next enemy."
"Yeah. Next time we run to the eighth level. There we'll fight skeletons with swords, shields and spears. I think they're very responsive and if you fight them you'll improve your skills."
"Okay, the break is over, let's go to the eighth floor."
"Okay, let's run again. Next is the 8th floor."
Lilan said "I understand" and stood up. Come to think of it, Lilan never spoke. Usually, he would say a sentence or two.
Just when we stood up and thought something was unusual, Lilan called out to us.
"Kirito, Shino. Count on me when the going gets tough.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. But even if it's hard, I won't try to bear it alone. Don't forget that you have me
Shino smiled and caressed Lilan's body.
"I won't forget you. I think it's even harder to forget you."
"It's true that Lilan talks like us players, but his appearance is that of a dragon with many distinctive features." Even if you forget about other players, someone like Lilan is unlikely to forget it.
"I feel the same way. Lilan is too hard to forget."
"Really. In this case, I feel relieved.
"It's up to you, man. Then, on to the eighth floor."
Sinon and Lilan and I returned to the city and headed to the eighth floor. At this rate, I think I can really reach the 50th floor in 5 days. No, a strong-willed person like Shino can really reach the fiftieth floor.
◇◇◇
‖Aincrad 22-story wooden house 7:00 pm
"We finished the training and went home." Sinon's growth was still dazzling, and she could easily defeat even skeletons equipped with various weapons. Even so, Sinon's desire to fight with strong men did not stop. Then, she climbed all the way up to the tenth floor, the thirteenth floor, the seventeenth floor, the twenty-first floor, and the twenty-second floor until she reached the here.
During that time, Shino fought against all kinds of enemies and mastered their movements, knots, behavior patterns, and fighting styles. It's like seeking strength is everything. As a result, I got to this point, far beyond my expectations.
If this continues, he will be able to reach the fiftieth floor tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, and Sinon herself seems to have grown rapidly and is strong enough to join the liquidation team. Even my level has been raised by 1 level to level 56.
Lilan and I are both still at level 75, but originally the people in the clearance group who had reached this level were elites like Tilbert and Asuna, who were at level 65, or at least level 56, the same as Sinon.
Sinon has already approached the raiding group, and it seems that her strength has caught up with the middle of the raiding group.
"Amazing Shino.
Shino leaned on the chair and took a sip of wine.
"The enemies on the lower floors were slow to react, and they felt that the 21st floor finally had some resistance. By the 21st floor, the enemy's level is probably level 23, right?"
"Well, the number of floors in this castle is about the same as the level of the enemies. It feels like the levels of the enemies are increasing on each level."
"In that case, my level is already enough to deal with enemies on the 56th floor, so why go to a higher place next time?"
"No, that's not the case." In fact, starting from around the 45th floor, the enemy's behavior pattern becomes irregular. Although it should only be the 45th floor, the enemy's level is level 50 or 52.
At each level, a random number from +1 to 7 becomes the enemy's level. So even if your level is higher than the level, it's not uncommon for enemies on that level to fight to the death.
"That's not actually the case, Shino."
Shino looked at me with wide eyes. So I told Shino what I knew so far.
"An enemy level is that level plus any number between 1 and 7, right?"
"Yes. So when you reach around level 45, the enemy's level will catch up with your level of 56. When you reach the goal of level 50, your level will be the same as the enemy's level. So don't let your guard down too much. Well, at least by the 40th floor, your level is higher than calculated. There is always a way to solve it.
Shino sighed.
“Then we should get to the fiftieth floor as soon as possible.
"Aren't you afraid? The enemy will become stronger and stronger. If you don't do it well, you might lose your life."
Shino showed a stern expression and took the wine away from her mouth.
"Rather than being scary, I want to see what kind of powerful enemy he is. Besides, even if you say so, it's not scary."
"Why? Although ordinary players will be afraid that the enemy will catch up with their level."
Shino smiled softly and softened his expression.
"Because you are protected by unusual people and unusual dragons. You are level 75, and enemies with levels as high as 56 are no match for you. Their combat power is higher than mine." It's more expensive, isn't it? Since people like that say they will protect you, besides peace of mind, what else can I embrace? "
Of course, Reran and I are both level 75, and the enemies on the 50th floor are too strong to be seen. Moreover, if something happens, I plan to rush to Sinon's side first while Sinon is training. Always nearby to supervise.
"Is it because Lilan and I are nearby that Sinon's condition looks good, and Sinon's movements are surprisingly light and powerful?" If I were in Sinon's position, of course I could fight with peace of mind. Even if a strong person appears, you can join forces with nearby friends to fight.
Because I'm here
"Perhaps the reason why you are not afraid of fighting is..."
"Maybe it's because you are nearby, saying you want to protect me, and are always ready, so I can face any enemy without fear. If this continues, the enemies on the fifty floor won't be scary either."
"I was unexpectedly surprised." At that time, I said I would protect Sinon, but I didn't expect that it would give Sinon a sense of security and give her the strength to fight without fear of the enemy.
"Really? That's why Shino is in good condition..."
"What, I didn't think it would end like this."
"I didn't expect, I didn't expect you to fight like this, and I didn't expect that Lilan and I would be so important."
"Thanks to Kirito and Lilan for being by my side. Please continue to work hard from now on. I will keep moving forward."
"I understand, Your Highness Shino. Don't worry, I will fully support you."
"OK"
Saying that, Shino drank the wine in one gulp, and I couldn't help but think about it while looking at her.
"Yes, I can make Shino feel at ease." Maybe it's a social comment or something. I protected Shino, who didn't know anything, and made her stronger. It will get harder and harder in the future, and it will be dangerous to be caught, but I have to protect Shino.
The moment she made up her mind, Shino's expression changed as if she realized something.
"Yes, Kirito. Today, I will do something for you to thank you for playing with me."
"Yeah. I need to do something."
"Cooking. I just remembered it yesterday, but I think I can cook. Kirito bought me a house with a kitchen, so I want to use the kitchen to cook. Kirito, what's wrong? I want to eat?"
